How to Make a Laminate Floor Stop Squeaking

by Chris Deziel

Floor squeaking usually isn't music to your ears.

Squeaks are annoying in any floor, and when the floor covering is hardwood or carpet, you have several options for eliminating them while keeping the flooring intact. You don't have as many options with a laminate floor, however. If it's really the laminate that's squeaking -- and not the subfloor -- the problem is usually something that the installers should have addressed before they laid the flooring.

Reasons for Squeaking

Floor squeaks can originate from the subfloor or the floor covering. When the subfloor is squeaking, it's usually because the installers used nails, and the nails are pulling away from the joists. When a laminate floor covering is squeaking, on the other hand, it could be because the subfloor isn't level, there's no underpadding or the boards have expanded and then shrunk again. Board movement is related to moisture and is another consequence of omitting a moisture-blocking underlayment. Laminate floors aren't attached to the subfloor, so you can't stop them from squeaking by adding more nails.

Fixing Subfloor Squeaks

It's easier to stop a subfloor from squeaking if you can get under the floor and access the joists. From there, you can tap shims between the subfloor and the joists or apply a bead of construction adhesive to stop the movement. You can also use specialty braces that screw to the subfloor and hook around a joist to draw the subfloor down. You can drive screws into the joists from above, but you'll have to remove the floor covering to do it. Driving screws through laminate flooring can chip or crack it, is unsightly and is almost never an option.

Removing the Floor Covering

If the squeaking is caused by irregularities in the subfloor or insufficient padding, you won't be able to stop it without removing the flooring and making the necessary repairs. You can simply unsnap most laminate floors, doing it carefully to preserve the fragile edges so they'll fit back together. The most difficult board to remove is the first one, which is usually situated in a corner. Tapping it backward with a rubber mallet usually works, but you may end up having to cut and replace that board. Once it's out, however, the rest of the disassembly is relatively effortless.

Quick Fixes

One remedy for squeaky hardwood floorboards that may also work on laminate boards is to sprinkle talc onto the floor and work it between the floorboards with a paintbrush to lubricate the joints. You must clean the floor thoroughly after this treatment to prevent accidents because talc is slippery. Another remedy is to change the position of a heavy cabinet that may be creating stress areas, or "pinch points." Pinch points also occur around the perimeter of the floor when the baseboard is installed too tightly. You can relieve the pressure by removing and reinstalling them slightly higher.

About the Author

A love of fundamental mysteries led Chris Deziel to obtain a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in humanities. A prolific carpenter, home renovator and furniture restorer, Deziel has been active in the building and home design trades since 1975. As a landscape builder, he helped establish two gardening companies.

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